Author Archives: Environment | Discover Magazine

Compostable and biodegradable dog poop bags are a load of, well, crap. Experts say there’s a difference between marketing claims and what the bags actually do after they’re thrown away. Continue reading →

Efforts to raise octopuses in captivity, like we do with salmon and other fish, are on the rise. But farming these sea creatures to become our food might be unethical and bad for the environment, some scientists say. Continue reading →

A citizen science project called Off the Roof tested rainwater runoff collected by volunteers. They found that rainwater can be easily treated, but does often have contaminants similar to what’s found in streams and rivers. Continue reading →

The great outdoors is good for our overall health, but this precious resource is in danger. Continue reading →

Extreme shrinkage of summer sea ice is just the latest evidence of rapid Arctic warming — and what happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay there. Continue reading →

The famed scientist made lasting contributions to environmental and sustainable farming. Continue reading →

Stronger wind speeds, rising sea levels and increases in water temperature add up to create more potential for destruction. Continue reading →

The molecular biologist describes how genetically engineered corn and wheat could become powerful tools for de-carbonizing the planet. Continue reading →

Recycling materials correctly in the age of international restrictions and a pandemic isn’t easy. Continue reading →

Climate change is fueling natural disasters and more extreme events around the world. Citizen scientists can help researchers track these changes in real time. Continue reading →

Extreme wildfires can fuel tornadoes, creating erratic and dangerous conditions for firefighters. Continue reading →

What new plant moms and dads need to know to help indoor plants thrive — or at least, stay alive. Continue reading →

Embalming, cremation and casket-making are far from eco-friendly. Some researchers want to return human bodies to the earth naturally. Continue reading →

A guide on how to keep insects and pests from destroying your garden veggies and plants. Continue reading →

A new way to think about light pollution in Europe and the U.S. should help policy makers take its measure. But if they can’t solve it, what hope for more complex problems like global heating? Continue reading →

More studies are needed on glyphosate, the controversial pesticide in Roundup, to determine how it affects humans. Continue reading →

Even if you don’t have a personal garden to sprinkle compost in, there are other ways the soil additive can be helpful. Continue reading →

Scientists find a way to use the sun’s energy to pull carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into fuel. Continue reading →

Decades ago, California surfers decided to fight coastal pollution. Today, their massive network of citizen scientists is monitoring water quality in places the government doesn’t. Continue reading →

Every year, 8 million tons of plastic get dumped into the ocean. Scientists want your help tracking where it comes from and where it goes. Continue reading →

Insects are a vital food source for migratory birds. Scientists need help tracking how these insect populations are responding to climate change. Continue reading →

If the forecasts are right, the U.S. could be facing more natural disasters this year — on top of the coronavirus pandemic. Local governments aren’t prepared. Continue reading →

With people, vehicles and all the commotion absent, some species might demonstrate just how much more space they actually need. Continue reading →

Warmer waters, heavier storms and nutrient pollution are a triple threat to Great Lakes cities’ drinking water. The solution: Cutting nutrient releases and installing systems to filter runoff. Continue reading →

Earth Day is all about lasting environmental change, after all. Continue reading →

Humans are not the only species suffering from COVID-19. If we are wise, we also won’t be the only ones to benefit when the pandemic ends. Continue reading →

The environmental movement has reckoned with new choices and past failures since the very first Earth Day. Continue reading →

By compacting the snow, trampling by animals could expose the warming soil beneath them to the cold air above. Continue reading →

By compacting the snow, trampling by animals could expose the warming soil beneath them to the cold air above. Continue reading →

A citizen scientist group now has thousands of radiation monitoring devices all around the world. But nuclear researchers are often reluctant to use the measurements. Continue reading →